FC Barcelona News: 22 December 2011; Copa del Rey Provides Sevaral Shocks, Santos Deny Neymar Deal

Guardiola, on his contract renewal: "People need to be calm, I know what I'm doing" | FC Barcelona
Even though Pep Guardiola didn’t reveal anything specific about his contract renewal with the Club, he did mention during today’s press conference that "people need to be calm, I know what I’m doing. I know when I have to do it and how it needs to be done." He admitted that constant questioning on the subject didn’t bother him.

Santos deny Barcelona have option on Neymar - ESPN Soccernet
The statement read: "Santos FC communicates that reports, claiming Barcelona from Spain would have guaranteed priority in the event of any future sale of the rights of the athlete Neymar, are completely unfounded, untrue and unrealistic, and that a payment will be needed for such a privilege to be obtained.

Messi wins Argentine SPOTY - Yahoo! Eurosport
Barcelona's Lionel Messi has been named as Argentina's sports personality of the year, winning the Olimpia de Oro for the first time. The prize, his first in his home country, is awarded by Argentina's sports writers and follows a year in which his goals helped Barca win Spain's La Liga, the European Champions League and the Club World Cup.

Montoya: "I’ve fulfilled my desire" | FC Barcelona
Martin Montoya is now a FC Barcelona player until June 2014. The defender signed his contract renewal on Wednesday afternoon. The event was attended by the President, Sandro Rosell, director, Jordi Mestre, sports director, Andoni Zubizarreta, and director of football, Raul Sanllehí, as well as the player's father and his agent. His buyout clause will be 12 million Euros until the end of this season, and 20 million for the next two.

Cristiano Ronaldo hits back at critics, Atletico's crisis, and Guardiola's triumph in Japan -- Graham Hunter -- ESPN
So spectacular was the destruction of the South America champions that the praise has all flooded toward Messi and Xavi rather than the manager. But Guardiola prepared his men to peak for three games: the Clasico, the Club World Cup semifinal and final. The results were impressive: Barcelona won all three matches, scoring 11 and conceding only once.

Copa del Rey round-up | Sky Sports
Villarreal crashed out to third tier opposition, costing Juan Carlos Garrido his job, while Atletico Madrid were also on the wrong end of a giant killing. Deportivo La Coruna were reduced to nine men as they bowed out and Malaga left it late to book their safe passage into the last 16. Real Zaragoza were another top flight casualty, with two goals in the last three minutes of the game seeing Alcoron secure a 3-0 aggregate win.

Real Madrid's Pepe hits back at Barcelona's Dani Alves: I play at the best team in the world and we're not jealous of anyone - Goal.com
Pepe has now hit back at Alves and insisted that Madrid are too big to envy other teams. "Jealous? We do not envy any other team! I play for the best club in the world," Pepe was quoted as saying by AS. "Real Madrid are the biggest club in the world and it's impossible for us to be jealous of other clubs."

Paper Round: Milan and Malaga fight for Torres - Yahoo! Eurosport
The Metro also reports that Torres could quit Chelsea in January, reporting that Qatari-backed big spenders Malaga ready to throw money at the Blues to bring the striker back to his homeland.

Villarreal part with coach Garrido - Yahoo! Eurosport
Villarreal have parted company with coach Juan Carlos Garrido after the La Liga club were eliminated from the Copa del Rey 3-1 on aggregate by third-tier side Mirandes. Garrido, who replaced Manuel Pellegrini in 2009 when the Chilean left for a brief stint at Real Madrid, has had to cope with a slew of injuries to key players this season and his side are hovering just above the relegation places in the league.